Police arrest woman for allegedly killing co-tenant with stone in Rivers

An elderly man identified as Augustine has lost his life after a female neighbour allegedly struck him on the head with a stone during a quarrel in the Railway axis of Elekahia, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

It was gathered that Augustine, who worked in the Trans-Amadi area of the metropolis, was resting in front of his apartment after returning from work when his female neighbour confronted him, accusing him of defecating behind the compound.

Angered by the accusation, Augustine questioned how someone of his age could be responsible, considering the presence of many children in the compound. This led to a heated argument between them.

A neighbour, Onyedikachi, who witnessed the incident, narrated what transpired.

He said, “The woman went behind the house and saw faeces. She then asked the man, who was sitting in front of his house, if he was responsible, and they started quarrelling. The man said he had just returned from work and questioned how an elderly man like him, over 60 years old, could do such a thing when there were children in the compound.

“The woman then picked up sand from the ground and threw it at the man. He got up from where he was sitting, and they began fighting.

“She then picked up a stone and struck him on the head. As I’m speaking to you, we are at Elekahia Police Station, and a crowd has gathered. The man is dead. His body is inside a car.”

Onyedikachi further stated that Augustine was taken to two different hospitals, both of which refused to attend to him. At the third hospital, he was confirmed dead.

When contacted, the Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating that the woman had been arrested.

Iringe-Koko said that while the suspect denied hitting the man with any object, an investigation is ongoing.

She stated, “Yes, I can confirm the incident. The woman has been arrested, and the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.

“During interrogation, the woman claimed that the man had hit her on the nose and that his children were fighting her, throwing stones at her. She said that while she was trying to dodge, a stone accidentally hit the man.

“As I said, she is in our custody, and the investigation is ongoing. At the conclusion of our inquiry, she may be charged to court.”